Robbinston youths learn about giving

Smiles, cheers and hugs were bountiful at the Robbinston Grade School (RGS) gym on January 14, when a student‑planned fund-raising event came to life. Over the past several weeks fifth through eighth grade students at RGS have been working hard on "$10 projects" as part of Positivity Nation in the Classroom activities that volunteer and Positivity Nation founder Lanette Pottle has led.
As a homework assignment in November, students were asked to "imagine a stranger gave you $10 and asked you to do the most good you could with it; what would you do?" The ideas submitted astounded Pottle. Students showed care and concern for issues including the environment, animals, homelessness, hunger and for veterans, the elderly, sick children and orphans in Africa.
"When I read what the students had written I knew that these ideas were too good just to leave on paper," Pottle says. She went to work in securing sponsors so that students could put their ideas into action. A post to Facebook brought donations from as far away as West Virginia and Massachusetts and from many people in Washington County. In fact, enough money was raised to complete 15 projects. While this wasn't enough to bring every idea to life, Pottle was able to weave together elements of each idea so that every student was represented in the projects.
Projects ranged from direct donation to involving others to create a greater reach. Over 125 people were directly impacted by the work of the students, many more indirectly. Organizations helping animals and the environment were also benefactors of this work.
Eighth grade students Kyle Johnson and Isaac Collins planned and executed the largest project: a charity basketball game to raise money for The Beckett Bombers. "I'm so impressed with the work these boys did," Pottle says. "They did all the planning. They made posters, contacted the radio station and promoted the event not using any of their allotted $10 because they wanted to be sure The Bombers got all of this money." She adds, "I was proud of all the students, but I am especially proud of Kyle and Isaac. They were able to plan an event to help others incorporating something that they are passionate about -- basketball. It just doesn't get much better than that!"
A small but enthusiastic and generous crowd gathered for the basketball game played on January 14. The Bombers defeated the co‑ed Wildcats team 48 to 44. Student organizers Johnson and Collins were able to present $351 to the Bombers for their activity/Special Olympics fund. Each player was also presented with a certificate to recognize their participation. After the game one parent was heard saying, "It does my heart good to see these young people doing something like this."
The memorable night ended with Pottle, with the help of Johnson and Collins, presenting school Principal John Owen with a banner declaring Robbinston Grade School as having "Official Positivity Nation Classrooms." Pottle noted in her presentation that she'd had the opportunity to work with K‑8 students on a variety of projects and activities.
Pottle hopes to bring Positivity Nation in the Classroom to at least five schools in Washington County in 2011 as well as introducing the concept at a national level.
If you are interested in learning more about Positivity Nation, visit <www.positivitynation.com> or contact Pottle directly at <lanette@positivity‑nation.com>.